Do contrails significantly reduce daily temperature range?

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 35; no. 23
• Main Authors: Hong, Gang, Yang, Ping, Minnis, Patrick, Hu, Yong X., North, Gerald
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.2008; American Geophysical Union
• Subjects: cloud; contrail; daily temperature range; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; United States; USA; atmosphere; Cloudiness; Surface temperature; Condensation trail; North America

One of the most visible anthropogenic phenomena in the atmosphere is the occurrence of contrails. The direct effects of contrails on surface temperature are investigated on the basis of the data sets for the cloud cover and surface temperature over the conterminous United States for the period 1971–...